General News
3 June, 2024
Residents urged to be SunSmart this winter
With regional Victorians 47 percent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma compared to people living in major cities, SunSmart Victoria urges local residents to frequently check their skin. The Victorian Population Health Survey found that only...
With regional Victorians 47 percent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma compared to people living in major cities, SunSmart Victoria urges local residents to frequently check their skin.
The Victorian Population Health Survey found that only 54 percent of Loddon Mallee people have checked their own skin in the last year, and 36 percent have had a full body check for melanoma by a doctor.
According to head of SunSmart Victoria Emma Glassenbury, it is vital to look for any changes to your skin three to four times a year.
“What we would like to see is more people checking their skin every three to four months and becoming familiar with their own skin,” she said.
“Make sure to check your entire body starting from the top and working your way down methodically including the soles of your feet and between your toes because skin cancer can appear anywhere.
“The more people are familiar with their skin, they are more able to identify changes to size, colour or shape to spots or any new spots on their skin.
“If you catch skin cancer in the early stages it’s almost entirely treatable, so if you notice any of those changes, we really encourage them to visit their general practitioner (GP) to have their skin checked.”
In a bid to bolster early melanoma detection, SunSmart has provided a dermatoscope and training to over 400 GPs through the Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program.
Ms Glassenbury said the training makes melanoma detection easier and more accessible.
“By providing GPs with the equipment and the training, it helps them detect skin cancer more early and accurately,” she said.
“We are really trying to upskill our workforce because the early detection of skin cancer helps save lives.”
The program, which is continually funded by the Victorian Department of Health, gives priority to GPs working in regional areas.
According to the Victorian Cancer Registry, melanoma accounts for around 10 percent of cancers among regional Victorians, with 1050 regional Victorians diagnosed with melanoma in 2022.
Ms Glassenbury said it is important for local residents to take the threat of skin cancer seriously.
“[The higher diagnoses] is most likely attributable to lifestyle factors of regional Victorians and having that constant exposure to ultra-violet (UV) radiation through their outdoor lifestyle and occupation,” she said.
“It is really important that residents are using sun protection whenever the UV rating is three and above, but also being aware of their skin.”
For more information, go to www.sunsmart.com.au